Habitat preference of blackflies in Omo Gibe river basin (southwest Ethiopia): Implications for onchocerciasis elimination and control

Blackfly larvae (Simulium damnosum), vectors of onchocerciasis, exhibit distinct habitat preferences influenced by environmental and biological factors in the Omo Gibe river basin, southwest Ethiopia. Research reveals that their abundance increases with turbidity, alkalinity, and altitude but declines with higher levels of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), orthophosphate, and magnesium ions. The presence of macroinvertebrate predators, particularly stonefly larvae (Perlidae), mayflies (Baetidae), and chironomids, also negatively impacts blackfly populations. These findings suggest that establishing buffer zones to improve water quality could enhance biocontrol of blackflies, supporting onchocerciasis elimination efforts. The study analyzed data from 150 sites across dry and wet seasons using statistical models like Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA).

Olkeba, B. K., Mereta, S. T., Goethals, P. L. M., Yewhalaw, D., Debesa, G., Ambelu, A., Ahmednur, M., & Boets, P. (2022). Habitat preference of blackflies in Omo Gibe river basin (southwest Ethiopia): Implications for onchocerciasis elimination and control. Plos One, 17(3), e0264750. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264750